Methods of treating myelodysplastic syndromes with a combination therapy using lenalidomide and azacitidine

ABSTRACT

Methods of treating, preventing and/or managing myelodysplastic syndromes are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administrations of 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidin-2,6-dione in combination with 5-azacytidine.

1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/777,765, filed May 11, 2010, presently pending, which is continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/985,032, filed Nov. 12, 2007, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,863,297, which is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/654,550 filed Jan. 16, 2007, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,863, which is divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/411,649 filed Apr. 11, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,740, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/418,468 filed on Oct. 15, 2002, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

2. FIELD

Provided herein are methods for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (“MDS”), with an immunomodulatory compound, including, but not limited to, 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione, which is also known as lenalidomide or Revlimid®, in combination with a cytidine analog, including, but not limited to, 5-azacytidine. Also included are methods for improving the overall survival of certain classes of patients having MDS. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions, dosing regimens, and the use of an immunomodulatory compound and 5-azacytidine in conjunction with transplantation therapy and/or other standard therapies for myelodysplastic syndromes.

3. BACKGROUND

3.1. Pathobiology of MDS

Myelodysplastic syndrome (“MDS”) refers to a diverse group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders. MDS is characterized by a cellular marrow with impaired morphology and maturation (dysmyelopoiesis), peripheral blood cytopenias, and a variable risk of progression to acute leukemia, resulting from ineffective blood cell production. The Merck Manual 953 (17^(th) ed. 1999) and List et al., 1990, J. Clin. Oncol. 8:1424.

The initial hematopoietic stem cell injury can be from causes such as, but not limited to, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, virus, chemical exposure, and genetic predisposition. A clonal mutation predominates over bone marrow, suppressing healthy stem cells. In the early stages of MDS, the main cause of cytopenias is increased programmed cell death (apoptosis). As the disease progresses and converts into leukemia, gene mutation rarely occurs and a proliferation of leukemic cells overwhelms the healthy marrow. The disease course differs, with some cases behaving as an indolent disease and others behaving aggressively with a very short clinical course that converts into an acute form of leukemia.

About 15,000 people are diagnosed with MDS each year in the United States, and about 60,000 are living with the disease. MDS was first considered a distinct disease in 1976, and occurrence was estimated at 1500 new cases every year. At that time, only patients with less than five percent blasts were considered to have this disorder. Statistics from 1999 estimated 13,000 new cases per year and about 1000 cases per year in children, surpassing chronic lymphocytic leukemia as the most common form of leukemia in the western hemisphere. The perception that the incidence is increasing may be due to improvements in recognition and criteria for diagnosis. The disease is found worldwide.

An international group of hematologists, the French-American-British (FAB) Cooperative Group, classified MDS disorders into five subgroups, differentiating them from acute myeloid leukemia. The Merck Manual 954 (17^(th) ed. 1999); Bennett J. M., et al., Ann. Intern. Med. 1985 October, 103(4): 620-5; and Besa E. C., Med. Clin. North Am. 1992 May, 76(3): 599-617. An underlying trilineage dysplastic change in the bone marrow cells of the patients is found in all subtypes.

There are two subgroups of refractory anemia characterized by five percent or less myeloblasts in bone marrow: (1) refractory anemia (RA) and; (2) RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), defined morphologically as having 15% erythroid cells with abnormal ringed sideroblasts, reflecting an abnormal iron accumulation in the mitochondria. Both have a prolonged clinical course and low incidence of progression to acute leukemia. Besa E. C., Med. Clin. North Am. 1992 May, 76(3): 599-617.

There are two subgroups of refractory anemias with greater than five percent myeloblasts: (1) RA with excess blasts (RAEB), defined as 6-20% myeloblasts, and (2) RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T), with 21-30% myeloblasts. The higher the percentage of myeloblasts, the shorter the clinical course and the closer the disease is to acute myelogenous leukemia. Patient transition from early to more advanced stages indicates that these subtypes are merely stages of disease rather than distinct entities. Elderly patients with MDS with trilineage dysplasia and greater than 30% myeloblasts who progress to acute leukemia are often considered to have a poor prognosis because their response rate to chemotherapy is lower than de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification (1999) proposes to include all cases of RAEB-T, or patients with greater than 20% myeloblasts, in the category of acute leukemia because these patients have similar prognostic outcomes. However, their response to therapy is worse than the de novo or more typical acute myelogenous leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) patient. Id.

The fifth type of MDS, the most difficult to classify, is called chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). This subtype can have any percentage of myeloblasts but presents with a monocytosis of 1000/dL or more. It may be associated with splenomegaly. This subtype overlaps with a myeloproliferative disorder and may have an intermediate clinical course. It is differentiated from the classic chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) that is characterized by a negative Ph chromosome. The recent WHO classification (1999) proposes that juvenile and proliferative CMML be listed separately from FAB under MDS/myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) with splenomegaly and greater than 13,000 total WBC. CMML is limited to monocytosis, less than 13,000/mm³ total leukocytes, and requires trilineage dysplasia. Id. Harris N. L., et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1999 December, 17(12): 3835-49. Finally, some other international organizations, including WHO, have suggested a sixth class of MDS patients, characterized by a del (5q) abnormality.

MDS is primarily a disease of elderly people, with the median onset in the seventh decade of life. The median age of these patients is 65 years, with ages ranging from the early third decade of life to as old as 80 years or older. The syndrome may occur in any age group, including the pediatric population. Patients who survive malignancy treatment with alkylating agents, with or without radiotherapy, have a high incidence of developing MDS or secondary acute leukemia. About 60-70% of patients do not have an obvious exposure or cause for MDS, and are classified as primary MDS patients.

The most common cases of MDS are primary, or idiopathic. However, a nonspecific history of exposure to indeterminable chemicals or radiation 10-15 years prior to onset of disease may be present in about 50% of patients. This relationship to pathogenesis remains unproved. Compounds such as, but not limited to, benzene, insecticides, weed killers, and fungicides are possible causes of MDS. Goldberg H., et al., Cancer Res. 1990 Nov. 1; 50(21): 6876-81. Secondary MDS describes development of MDS or acute leukemia after known exposures to chemotherapy drugs that can cause bone marrow damage. These drugs are associated with a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities following exposure and at the time of MDS or acute leukemia diagnosis.

Further, MDS is associated with complications associated with severe cytopenias. Other complications are development of myelofibrosis, which can accelerate decline in blood counts and increase transfusion requirements. Transformation to acute leukemia accelerates the development of complications such as anemia, bleeding, and infections.

The International MDS Risk Analysis (IMRA) Workshop proposed an International Prognosis Scoring System (IPSS) to decrease imprecision in predicting survival and AML risk in MDS patients. The IPSS is based on the number of cytopenias, percentage of BM blasts, and type of cytogenetic abnormalities (Table 1). Greenberg et al., Blood 1997, 89:2079-88. The latter are categorized into good (normal, —Y, del (5q), del (20q)), intermediate, and poor subgroups (complex or chromosome 7 abnormalities).

TABLE 1 International Prognostic Scoring System for MDS Prognostic Score Value Variable 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Bone marrow <5 5-10 — 11-20 21-30 blasts (%) Karyotype* Good Intermediate Poor Cytopenias 0/1 2/3 *Good, normal, del (5q), del (20q), −Y; Poor, complex (>3) or chromosome 7 abnormalities; Intermediate, +8, and other single or double abnormalities.

3.2. MDS Treatment

The current treatment of MDS is based on the stage and the mechanism of the disease that predominates the particular phase of the disease process. Bone marrow transplantation has been used in patients with poor prognosis or late-stage MDS. Epstein and Slease, 1985, Surg. Ann. 17:125. This type of therapy, however, is both painful for donor and recipient, because of the involvement of invasive procedures and can cause severe and even fatal complications to the recipient, particularly with allogeneic transplant and related Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) results. Therefore, the risk of GVHD restricts the use of bone marrow transplantation to patients with otherwise fatal diseases. Further, as most patients are elderly and only a few young MDS patients will have a matched donor, the use of bone marrow transplantation is limited.

An alternative approach to therapy for MDS is the use of hematopoietic growth factors or cytokines to stimulate blood cell development in a recipient. Dexter, 1987, J. Cell Sci. 88:1; Moore, 1991, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:159; and Besa E. C., Med. Clin. North Am. 1992 May, 76(3): 599-617. The process of blood cell formation, by which a small number of self-renewing stem cells give rise to lineage specific progenitor cells that subsequently undergo proliferation and differentiation to produce the mature circulating blood cells has been shown to be at least in part regulated by specific hormones. These hormones are collectively known as hematopoietic growth factors. Metcalf, 1985, Science 229:16; Dexter, 1987, J. Cell Sci. 88:1; Golde and Gasson, 1988, Scientific American, July:62; Tabbara and Robinson, 1991, Anti-Cancer Res. 11:81; Ogawa, 1989, Environ. Health Presp. 80:199; and Dexter, 1989, Br. Med. Bull. 45:337. The most well characterized growth factors include erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Apart from inducing proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, such cytokines have also been shown to activate a number of functions of mature blood cells, including influencing the migration of mature hematopoietic cells. Stanley et al., 1976, J. Exp. Med. 143:631; Schrader et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:323; Moore et al., 1980, J. Immunol. 125:1302; Kurland et al., 1979, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76:2326; Handman and Burgess, 1979, J. Immunol. 122:1134; Vadas et al., 1983, Blood 61:1232; Vadas et al., 1983, J. Immunol. 130:795; and Weibart et al., 1986, J. Immunol. 137:3584.

Unfortunately, hematopoietic growth factors have not proven effective in many clinical settings. Clinical trials of MDS patients treated with recombinant human GM-CSF and G-CSF have shown that while these cytokines can restore granulocytopoiesis in treated patients, their efficacy is restricted to the granulocyte or monocyte lineage with little or no improvement in hemoglobin or platelet counts. Schuster et al., 1990, Blood 76 (Suppl. 1):318a. When such patients were treated with recombinant human EPO, a sustained improvement in hemoglobin or decrease in transfusion requirement was achieved in only less than 25% of patients. Besa et al., 1990, 76 (Suppl. 1):133a; Hellstrom et al., 1990, 76 (Suppl. 1):279a; Bowen et al., 1991, Br. J. Haematol. 77:419. Therefore, there remains a need for safe and effective methods of treating and managing MDS.

3.3. Thalidomide and Azacitidine

Thalidomide is a racemic compound sold under the tradename Thalomid® and chemically named α-(N-phthalimido)glutarimide or 2-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidinyl)-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione. Thalidomide was originally developed in the 1950's to treat morning sickness, but due to its teratogenic effects was withdrawn from use. Thalidomide has been approved in the United States for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of erythema nodosum leprosum in leprosy. Physicians' Desk Reference, 1154-1158 (56th ed., 2002). Because its administration to pregnant women can cause birth defects, the sale of thalidomide is strictly controlled. Id. Thalidomide has reportedly been studied in the treatment of other diseases, such as chronic graft-vs-host disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, several inflammatory skin diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease. See generally, Koch, H. P., Prog. Med. Chem. 22:165-242 (1985). See also, Moller, D. R., et al., J. Immunol. 159:5157-5161 (1997); Vasiliauskas, E. A., et al., Gastroenterology 117:1278-1287 (1999); Ehrenpreis, E. D., et al., Gastroenterology 117:1271-1277 (1999). It has further been alleged that thalidomide can be combined with other drugs to treat ischemia/repercussion associated with coronary and cerebral occlusion. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,915, which is incorporated herein by reference.

More recently, thalidomide was found to exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of disease states, cachexia in AIDS, and opportunic infections in AIDS. In studies to define the physiological targets of thalidomide, the drug was found to have a wide variety of biological activities exclusive of its sedative effect including neurotoxicity, teratogenicity, suppression of TNF-α production by monocytes/macrophages and the accompanying inflammatory toxicities associated with high levels of TNF-α, and inhibition of angiogenesis and neovascularization.

Additionally, beneficial effects have been observed in a variety of dermatological conditions, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Bechets's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosis, aphthous ulcers, and lupus. The anti-angiogenic properties of thalidomide in in vivo models have been reported. D'Amato et al., Thalidomide Is An Inhibitor Of Angiogenesis, 1994, PNAS, USA 91:4082-4085.

One of the most therapeutically significant potential uses of thalidomide is in the treatment of cancer. The compound has been investigated in the treatment of various types of cancer, such as refractory multiple myeloma, brain, breast, colon, and prostate cancer, melanoma, mesothelioma, and renal cell carcinoma. See, e.g., Singhal, S., et al., New England J. Med. 341(21):1565-1571 (1999); and Marx, G. M., et al., Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncology 18:454a (1999). Thalidomide reportedly can also be used to prevent the development of chronic cardiomyopathy in rats caused by doxorubicin. Costa, P. T., et al., Blood 92(10:suppl. 1):235b (1998). Other reports concerning the use of thalidomide in the treatment of specific cancers include its combination with carboplatin in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. McCann, J., Drug Topics 41-42 (Jun. 21, 1999). The use of thalidomide in combination with dexamethasone reportedly was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from multiple myeloma who also received, as supportive care, human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), ciprofloxacin, and non-absorbable antifungal agents. Kropff, M. H., Blood 96(11 part 1):168a (2000); see also, Munshi, N. et al., Blood 94(10 part 1):578a (1999). Other chemotherapy combinations that comprise thalidomide are disclosed in International Application No. PCT/US01/15326 to R. Govindarjan and A. Zeitlan, and in International Application No. PCT/US01/15327 to J. B. Zeldis, et al.

In an effort to provide compounds that have greater therapeutic safety and efficacy than thalidomide, researchers have begun investigating a large number of other compounds, some of which are derivatives of thalidomide. See, e.g., Marriott, J. B., et al., Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 1(4): 1-8 (2001); G. W. Muller, et al., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 39(17): 3238-3240 (1996); and G. W. Muller, et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 8: 2669-2674 (1998). Examples include, but are not limited to, the substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl) phthalimies and substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-1-oxoisoindoles described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,281,230 and 6,316,471, both to G. W. Muller, et al.

A group of compounds selected for their capacity to potently inhibit TNF-α production by LPS stimulated PBMC has been investigated. L. G. Corral, et al., Ann. Rheum. Dis. 58:(Suppl I) 1107-1113 (1999). These compounds, which are referred to as IMiDs™ or Immunomodulatory Drugs, show not only potent inhibition of TNF-α but also marked inhibition of LPS induced monocyte IL1ß and IL12 production. LPS induced IL6 is also inhibited by IMiDs™, albeit partially. These compounds are potent stimulators of LPS induced IL10, increasing IL10 levels by 200 to 300%. Id.

In addition, nucleoside analogs have been used clinically for the treatment of viral infections and proliferative disorders for decades. Most of the nucleoside analog drugs are classified as antimetabolites. After they enter cells, nucleoside analogs are successively phosphorylated to nucleoside 5′-monophosphates, 5′-diphosphates, and 5′-triphosphates. In most cases, nucleoside triphosphates are the chemical entities that inhibit DNA or RNA synthesis, either through a competitive inhibition of polymerases or through incorporation of modified nucleotides into DNA or RNA sequences. Nucleosides may act also as their diphosphates.

5-Azacytidine (also known as azacitidine and 4-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-one; Nation Service Center designation NSC-102816; CAS Registry Number 320-67-2) has undergone NCI-sponsored trials for the treatment of MDS. See, e.g., Kornblith et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 20(10): 2441-2452 (2002); Silverman et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 20(10): 2429-2440 (2002). 5-Azacytidine may be defined as having a molecular formula of C₈H₁₂N₄O₅, a relative molecular weight of 244.21 and a structure of:

Azacitidine (also referred to as 5-azacytidine herein) is a nucleoside analog, more specifically a cytidine analog. 5-Azacytidine is an antagonist of its related natural nucleoside, cytidine. 5-Azacytidine, as well as decitabine, i.e., 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, are antagonists of decitabine's related natural nucleoside, deoxycytidine. The only structural difference between the analogs and their related natural nucleosides is the presence of nitrogen at position 5 of the cytosine ring in place of oxygen.

Other members of the class of deoxycytidine and cytidine analogs include arabinosylcytosine (Cytarabine), 2′-deoxy-2′,2′-difluorocytidine (Gemcitabine), 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (Decitabine), 2(1H)-pyrimidine-riboside (Zebularine), 2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluoro-3′-thiacytidine (Emtriva), N⁴-pentyloxycarbonyl-5′-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (Capecitabine), 2′-cyclocytidine, arabinofuanosyl-5-azacytidine, dihydro-5-azacytidine, N⁴-octadecyl-cytarabine, elaidic acid cytarabine, and cytosine 1-β-D-arabinofuranoside (ara-C).

There remains a need for more effective methods for treating MDS and its related disorders.

4. SUMMARY

Embodiments herein provide methods for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with a combination therapy using a therapeutically effective amount of a cytidine analog, including, but not limited to, 5-azacytidine, and a therapeutically effective amount of an immunomodulatory compound, including, but not limited to, 3-(4-amino-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione (lenalidomide) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate (e.g., hydrate) or stereoisomer thereof. Particular embodiments provide methods for treating patients with advanced MDS or higher risk MDS using the combination therapy. Particular embodiments provide methods for improving the overall survival of patients having MDS, e.g., higher risk MDS. Particular embodiments provide alternative dosing regimens for treating MDS. Particular embodiments provide methods for treating patients having MDS, using specific numbers of lenalidomide and azacitidine treatment cycles. Particular embodiments provide methods of treating patients who meet the WHO criteria for AML using lenalidomide and azacitidine. Particular embodiments provide using lenalidomide and azacytidine as maintenance therapy.

One embodiment encompasses the use of lenalidomide and azacitidine in combination with conventional therapies presently used to treat, prevent or manage MDS such as hematopoietic growth factors, cytokines, cancer chemotherapeutics, stem cell transplantation and other transplantations.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment encompasses methods of treating or preventing MDS which comprise administering to a patient in need of such treatment or prevention a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of 3-(4-amino-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione (lenalidomide), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, in combination with a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a cytidine analog, particularly, 5-azacytidine. The embodiment encompasses the treatment, prevention or management of specific sub-types of MDS such as refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

As used herein, the term “myelodysplastic syndromes” or “MDS” means hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by one or more of the following: ineffective blood cell production, progressive cytopenias, risk of progression to acute leukemia or cellular marrow with impaired morphology and maturation (dysmyelopoiesis). The term “myelodysplastic syndromes” or “MDS” unless otherwise noted includes: refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Another embodiment encompasses methods of managing MDS which comprises administering to a patient in need of such management a prophylactically effective amount of lenalidomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, in combination with a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of 5-azacytidine.

Another embodiment encompasses a kit comprising: a pharmaceutical composition comprising (1) lenalidomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, and (2) 5-azacytidine, and/or (3) instructions for use. The invention further encompasses kits comprising single unit dosage forms.

One embodiment encompasses a method of treating, preventing and/or managing MDS, which comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment, prevention and/or management therapeutically or prophylactically effective amounts of 5-azacytidine and lenalidomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, and a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an additional active agent.

The additional active agent is preferably a hematopoietic growth factor, a cytokine, an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an anti-fungal, an anti-inflammatory, an immunosuppressive agent such as a cyclosporin, conventional therapy for MDS, or other chemotherapeutic agent found for example in the Physician's Desk Reference. Preferred anti-cancer or cancer chemotherapeutics are apoptosis inducing agents, topoisomerase inhibitors, anti-angiogenesis compounds, microtubule stabilizing agents, alkylating agents and other known conventional cancer chemotherapy. Most preferred additional active agents are those capable of affecting or improving blood production. The active agents can be large molecules (e.g., proteins) or small molecules (e.g., synthetic inorganic, organometallic, or organic molecules). The examples of specific additional active agent include, but are not limited to, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, etanercept (Enbrel®), imatinib (Glivec®), anti-TNF-α antibodies, infliximab (Remicade®), G-CSF, GM-CSF, EPO, topotecan, irinotecan, pentoxifylline, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, IL2, IL8, IL18, Ara-C, vinorelbine, vinblastine, isotretinoin, and 13-cis-retinoic acid. This invention also encompasses the use of native, naturally occurring, and recombinant proteins. The invention further encompasses mutants and derivatives (e.g., modified forms) of naturally occurring proteins that exhibit, in vivo, at least some of the pharmacological activity of the proteins upon which they are based. Examples of mutants include, but are not limited to, proteins that have one or more amino acid residues that differ from the corresponding residues in the naturally occurring forms of the proteins. Also encompassed by the term “mutants” are proteins that lack carbohydrate moieties normally present in their naturally occurring forms (e.g., nonglycosylated forms). Examples of derivatives include, but are not limited to, pegylated derivatives and fusion proteins, such as proteins formed by fusing IgG1 or IgG3 to the protein or active portion of the protein of interest. See, e.g., Penichet, M. L. and Morrison, S. L., J. Immunol. Methods 248:91-101 (2001). Vaccines that cause the secretion of proteins disclosed herein as well as pharmacologically active mutants, derivatives, and fusion thereof are also encompassed by the invention.

Without being limited by theory, it is believed that certain immunomodulatory compounds and proteins can act in complementary or synergistic ways in the treatment or management of MDS. It is also believed that certain proteins may reduce or eliminate particular adverse effects associated with some immunomodulatory compounds, thereby allowing the administration of larger amounts of an immunomodulatory compound to patients and/or increasing patient compliance. It is further believed that some immunomodulatory compounds may reduce or eliminate particular adverse effects associated with some protein-based MDS therapies, thereby allowing the administration of larger amounts of protein to patients and/or increasing patient compliance.

Another embodiment of the invention encompasses a method of reversing, reducing or avoiding an adverse effect associated with the administration of a chemotherapeutics or therapeutics used to treat cancer or MDS in a patient suffering from MDS, which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof therapeutically or prophylactically effective amounts of azacitidine and lenalidomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

As inevitable leukemic transformation develops in certain stages of MDS, transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells, hematopoietic stem cell preparation or bone marrow may be necessary. It is believed that the combined use of an immunomodulatory compound and transplantation of stem cells in a patient suffering from MDS provides a unique and unexpected synergism. In particular, without being limited by theory, it is believed that an immunomodulatory compound exhibits immunomodulatory activity that may provide additive or synergistic effects when given concurrently with transplantation therapy. Immunomodulatory compounds can work in combination with transplantation therapy reducing complications associated with the invasive procedure of transplantation and risk of related Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). Therefore, this invention encompasses a method of treating, preventing and/or managing MDS, which comprises administering to a patient (e.g., a human) azacitidine and lenalidomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, before, during, or after transplantation therapy.

The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions, single unit dosage forms, and kits which comprise azacitidine and lenalidomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, an additional active ingredient, and/or blood or cells for transplantation therapy. For example, the kit may contain one or more compounds of the invention, stem cells for transplantation and an immunosuppressive agent, antibiotic or other drug, each of which is to be used to treat the MDS patient.

5.1. Immunomodulatory Compounds

Compounds used in the invention include immunomodulatory compounds that are racemic, stereomerically enriched or stereomerically pure, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, stereoisomers, clathrates, and prodrugs thereof. Preferred compounds used in the invention are small organic molecules having a molecular weight less than about 1000 g/mol, and are not proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides or other macromolecules.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “stereomerically pure” means a composition that comprises one stereoisomer of a compound and is substantially free of other stereoisomers of that compound. For example, a stereomerically pure composition of a compound having one chiral center will be substantially free of the opposite enantiomer of the compound. A stereomerically pure composition of a compound having two chiral centers will be substantially free of other diastereomers of the compound. A typical stereomerically pure compound comprises greater than about 80% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 20% by weight of other stereoisomers of the compound, more preferably greater than about 90% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 10% by weight of the other stereoisomers of the compound, even more preferably greater than about 95% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 5% by weight of the other stereoisomers of the compound, and most preferably greater than about 97% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 3% by weight of the other stereoisomers of the compound. As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “stereomerically enriched” means a composition that comprises greater than about 60% by weight of one stereoisomer of a compound, preferably greater than about 70% by weight, more preferably greater than about 80% by weight of one stereoisomer of a compound. As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “enantiomerically pure” means a stereomerically pure composition of a compound having one chiral center. Similarly, the term “stereomerically enriched” means a stereomerically enriched composition of a compound having one chiral center.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “immunomodulatory compounds” or “IMiDs™” (Celgene Corporation) used herein encompasses small organic molecules that markedly inhibit TNF-α, LPS induced monocyte IL1ß and IL12, and partially inhibit IL6 production. Specific immunomodulatory compounds of the invention are discussed below.

TNF-α is an inflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages and monocytes during acute inflammation. TNF-α is responsible for a diverse range of signaling events within cells. TNF-α may play a pathological role in cancer. Without being limited by particular theory, one of the biological effects exerted by the immunomodulatory compounds of the invention is the reduction of synthesis of TNF-α. Immunomodulatory compounds of the invention enhance the degradation of TNF-α mRNA.

Further, without being limited by particular theory, immunomodulatory compounds used in the invention may also be potent co-stimulators of T cells and increase cell proliferation dramatically in a dose dependent manner. Immunomodulatory compounds of the invention may also have a greater co-stimulatory effect on the CD8+ T cell subset than on the CD4+ T cell subset. In addition, the compounds preferably have anti-inflammatory properties, and efficiently co-stimulate T cells.

Specific examples of immunomodulatory compounds of the invention, include, but are not limited to, cyano and carboxy derivatives of substituted styrenes such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,117; 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxo-3-fluoropiperidin-3yl) isoindolines and 1,3-dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxo-3-fluoropiperidine-3-yl) isoindolines such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,448; the tetra substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperdin-3-yl)-1-oxoisoindolines described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,368; 1-oxo and 1,3-dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl) isoindolines (e.g., 4-methyl derivatives of thalidomide and EM-12), including, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,517; and a class of non-polypeptide cyclic amides disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,579 and 5,877,200; analogs and derivatives of thalidomide, including hydrolysis products, metabolites, derivatives and precursors of thalidomide, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,990, 5,629,327, and 6,071,948 to D'Amato; aminothalidomide, as well as analogs, hydrolysis products, metabolites, derivatives and precursors of aminothalidomide, and substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl) phthalimides and substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-1-oxoisoindoles such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,281,230 and 6,316,471; isoindole-imide compounds such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/972,487 filed on Oct. 5, 2001, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/032,286 filed on Dec. 21, 2001, and International Application No. PCT/US01/50401 (International Publication No. WO 02/059106). The entireties of each of the patents identified herein are incorporated herein by reference. Immunomodulatory compounds of the invention do not include thalidomide.

Other specific immunomodulatory compounds of the invention include, but are not limited to, 1-oxo-and 1,3 dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl) isoindolines substituted with amino in the benzo ring as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,517 which is incorporated herein. These compounds have the structure I:

in which one of X and Y is C═O, the other of X and Y is C═O or CH₂, and R² is hydrogen or lower alkyl, in particular methyl. Specific immunomodulatory compounds include, but are not limited to:

-   1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-4-aminoisoindoline; -   1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-5-aminoisoindoline; -   1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-6-aminoisoindoline; -   1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-7-aminoisoindoline; -   1,3-dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-4-aminoisoindoline; -   and 1,3-dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-5-aminoisoindoline.

Other specific immunomodulatory compounds of the invention belong to a class of substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl) phthalimides and substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-1-oxoisoindoles, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,281,230; 6,316,471; 6,335,349; and 6,476,052, and International Patent Application No. PCT/US97/13375 (International Publication No. WO 98/03502), each of which is incorporated herein. Compounds representative of this class are of the formulas:

wherein R¹ is hydrogen or methyl. In a separate embodiment, the invention encompasses the use of enantiomerically pure forms (e.g. optically pure (R) or (S) enantiomers) of these compounds.

Still other specific immunomodulatory compounds of the invention belong to a class of isoindole-imides disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/032,286 and 09/972,487, and International Application No. PCT/US01/50401 (International Publication No. WO 02/059106), each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Representative compounds are of formula II:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, clathrates, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and mixtures of stereoisomers thereof, wherein:

one of X and Y is C═O and the other is CH₂ or C═O;

R¹ is H, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, benzyl, aryl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₁-C₆)heterocycloalkyl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₂-C₅)heteroaryl, C(O)R³, C(S)R³, C(O)OR⁴, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-N(R⁶)₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-OR⁵, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-C(O)OR⁵, C(O)NHR³, C(S)NHR³, C(O)NR³R^(3′), C(S)NR³R^(3′) or (C₁-C₈)alkyl-O(CO)R⁵;

R² is H, F, benzyl, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, or (C₂-C₈)alkynyl;

R³ and R^(3′) are independently (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, benzyl, aryl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₁-C₆)heterocycloalkyl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₂-C₈)heteroaryl, (C₀-C₈)alkyl-N(R⁶)₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-OR⁵, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-C(O)OR⁵, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-O(CO)R⁵, or C(O)OR⁵;

R⁴ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkyl-OR⁵, benzyl, aryl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₁-C₆)heterocycloalkyl, or (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₂-C₅)heteroaryl;

R⁵ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, benzyl, aryl, or (C₂-C₅)heteroaryl;

each occurrence of R⁶ is independently H, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, benzyl, aryl, (C₂-C₅)heteroaryl, or (C₀-C₈)alkyl-C(O)O—R⁵ or the R⁶ groups can join to form a heterocycloalkyl group;

n is 0 or 1; and

* represents a chiral-carbon center.

In specific compounds of formula II, when n is 0 then R¹ is (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, benzyl, aryl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₁-C₆)heterocycloalkyl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₂-C₅)heteroaryl, C(O)R³, C(O)OR⁴, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-N(R⁶)₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-OR⁵, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-C(O)OR⁵, C(S)NHR³, or (C₁-C₈)alkyl-O(CO)R⁵;

R² is H or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; and

R³ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, benzyl, aryl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₁-C₆)heterocycloalkyl, (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₂-C₅)heteroaryl, (C₅-C₈)alkyl-N(R⁶)₂; (C₀-C₈)alkyl-NH—C(O)O—R⁵; (C₁-C₈)alkyl-OR⁵, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-C(O)OR⁵, (C₁-C₈)alkyl-O(CO)R⁵, or C(O)OR⁵; and the other variables have the same definitions.

In other specific compounds of formula II, R² is H or (C₁-C₄)alkyl.

In other specific compounds of formula II, R¹ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl or benzyl.

In other specific compounds of formula II, R¹ is H, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, benzyl, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CH₂OCH₃, or

In another embodiment of the compounds of formula II, R¹ is

wherein Q is O or S, and each occurrence of R⁷ is independently H, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, benzyl, CH₂OCH₃, or CH₂CH₂OCH₃.

In other specific compounds of formula II, R¹ is C(O)R³.

In other specific compounds of formula II, R³ is (C₀-C₄)alkyl-(C₂-C₅)heteroaryl, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, aryl, or (C₀-C₄)alkyl-OR⁵.

In other specific compounds of formula II, heteroaryl is pyridyl, furyl, or thienyl.

In other specific compounds of formula II, R¹ is C(O)OR⁴.

In other specific compounds of formula II, the H of C(O)NHC(O) can be replaced with (C₁-C₄)alkyl, aryl, or benzyl.

Still other specific immunomodulatory compounds of the invention belong to a class of isoindole-imides disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/781,179, International Publication No. WO 98/54170, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,754, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Representative compounds are of formula III:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, clathrates, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and mixtures of stereoisomers thereof, wherein:

one of X and Y is C═O and the other is CH₂ or C═O;

R is H or CH₂OCOR′;

(i) each of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴, independently of the others, is halo, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or (ii) one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is nitro or —NHR⁵ and the remaining of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ are hydrogen;

R⁵ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 8 carbons;

R⁶ hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, benzo, chloro, or fluoro; and

* represents a chiral-carbon center.

The most preferred immunomodulatory compounds of the invention are 4-(amino)-2-(2,6-dioxo(3-piperidyl))-isoindoline-1,3-dione and 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione. The compounds can be obtained via standard, synthetic methods (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,517, incorporated herein by reference). The compounds are available from Celgene Corporation, Summit, N.J. 4-(Amino)-2-(2,6-dioxo(3-piperidyl))-isoindoline-1,3-dione (pomalidomide) has the following chemical structure:

3-(4 Amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione (lenalidomide) has the following chemical structure:

The compounds of the invention can either be commercially purchased or prepared according to the methods described in the patents or patent publications disclosed herein. Further, optically pure compounds can be asymmetrically synthesized or resolved using known resolving agents or chiral columns as well as other standard synthetic organic chemistry techniques.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” encompasses non-toxic acid and base addition salts of the compound to which the term refers. Acceptable non-toxic acid addition salts include those derived from organic and inorganic acids or bases know in the art, which include, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, methanesulphonic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, maleic acid, sorbic acid, aconitic acid, salicylic acid, phthalic acid, embolic acid, enanthic acid, and the like.

Compounds that are acidic in nature are capable of forming salts with various pharmaceutically acceptable bases. The bases that can be used to prepare pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts of such acidic compounds are those that form non-toxic base addition salts, i.e., salts containing pharmacologically acceptable cations such as, but not limited to, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts and the calcium, magnesium, sodium or potassium salts in particular. Suitable organic bases include, but are not limited to, N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumaine (N-methylglucamine), lysine, and procaine.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “prodrug” means a derivative of a compound that can hydrolyze, oxidize, or otherwise react under biological conditions (in vitro or in vivo) to provide the compound. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, derivatives of immunomodulatory compounds of the invention that comprise biohydrolyzable moieties such as biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable carbamates, biohydrolyzable carbonates, biohydrolyzable ureides, and biohydrolyzable phosphate analogues. Other examples of prodrugs include derivatives of immunomodulatory compounds of the invention that comprise —NO, —NO₂, —ONO, or —ONO₂ moieties. Prodrugs can typically be prepared using well known methods, such as those described in 1 Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, 172-178, 949-982 (Manfred E. Wolff ed., 5th ed. 1995), and Design of Prodrugs (H. Bundgaard ed., Elselvier, N.Y. 1985).

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the terms “biohydrolyzable amide,” “biohydrolyzable ester,” “biohydrolyzable carbamate,” “biohydrolyzable carbonate,” “biohydrolyzable ureide,” “biohydrolyzable phosphate” mean an amide, ester, carbamate, carbonate, ureide, or phosphate, respectively, of a compound that either: 1) does not interfere with the biological activity of the compound but can confer upon that compound advantageous properties in vivo, such as uptake, duration of action, or onset of action; or 2) is biologically inactive but is converted in vivo to the biologically active compound. Examples of biohydrolyzable esters include, but are not limited to, lower alkyl esters, lower acyloxyalkyl esters (such as acetoxylmethyl, acetoxyethyl, aminocarbonyloxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl, and pivaloyloxyethyl esters), lactonyl esters (such as phthalidyl and thiophthalidyl esters), lower alkoxyacyloxyalkyl esters (such as methoxycarbonyloxymethyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl and isopropoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters), alkoxyalkyl esters, choline esters, and acylamino alkyl esters (such as acetamidomethyl esters). Examples of biohydrolyzable amides include, but are not limited to, lower alkyl amides, α-amino acid amides, alkoxyacyl amides, and alkylaminoalkylcarbonyl amides. Examples of biohydrolyzable carbamates include, but are not limited to, lower alkylamines, substituted ethylenediamines, aminoacids, hydroxyalkylamines, heterocyclic and heteroaromatic amines, and polyether amines.

It should be noted that if there is a discrepancy between a depicted structure and a name given that structure, the depicted structure is to be accorded more weight. In addition, if the stereochemistry of a structure or a portion of a structure is not indicated with, for example, bold or dashed lines, the structure or portion of the structure is to be interpreted as encompassing all stereoisomers of it.

5.2. Additional Active Agents

One or more additional active ingredients can be used in the methods and compositions of the invention together with azacitidine and an immunomodulatory compound of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the additional active agents are capable of affecting or improving the process of blood cell production. Specific additional active agents also stimulate the division and differentiation of committed erythroid progenitors in cells in vitro or in vivo.

Additional active agents can be large molecules (e.g., proteins) or small molecules (e.g., synthetic inorganic, organometallic, or organic molecules). The additional active agents include but are not limited to hematopoietic growth factors, cytokines, anti-cancer agents, antibiotics, proteasome inhibitors, immunosuppressive agents and other therapeutics discussed herein. Particular agents include, but are not limited to, G-CSF, GM-CSF, EPO, dexamethasone, topotecan, pentoxifylline, irinotecan, ciprofloxacin, vinorelbine, IL2, IL8, IL18, Ara-C, isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), 5-AZA2′-deoyxcytidine, 9-nitrocamp-tothecin, transretinoic acid, amifostine, amphotericin B and liposomal amphotericin B, anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody, anti-thymocyle globulin (ATG), arsenic trioxide, azacytidine, bevacizumab, bismuth monoclonal antibody, bryostatin, busulfan, caspofungin acetate, celocoxib, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, cytarabine, cytosine, daunorubicin, depsipeptide, etoposide, farresy transferase inhibitor, flavopiridol, Flt3 ligand, fludarabine, gentuzumab ozogomicin (mylotarg), etanercept (Enbrel®), imatinib (Glivec®), anti-TNF-α antibodies, infliximab (Remicade®), humanized monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody, idarubicine, leucovorin, melphalan, mitoxantrone, monoclonal antibody ABX-CBL, monoclonal antibody CD52, mycophenolate mofetil, oblimersen, omega-3 fatty acids, pentostatin, phenylbutyrate, PR1 leukemia peptide vaccine, montanide, proteasome inhibitor, sodium phenylbutyrate, sodium salicylate, temozolomide, thymoglobulin, troxatyl, tumor necrosis factor receptor IgG chimera, Yttrium Y 90 humanized monoclonal antibody M195. In a specific embodiment of the invention, an immunomodulatory compound of the invention is used in combination with pentoxifylline, ciprofloxacin, and/or dexamethasone.

This invention also encompasses the use of native, naturally occurring, and recombinant proteins. The invention further encompasses mutants and derivatives (e.g., modified forms) of naturally occurring proteins that exhibit, in vivo, at least some of the pharmacological activity of the proteins upon which they are based. Examples of mutants include, but are not limited to, proteins that have one or more amino acid residues that differ from the corresponding residues in the naturally occurring forms of the proteins. Also encompassed by the term “mutants” are proteins that lack carbohydrate moieties normally present in their naturally occurring forms (e.g., nonglycosylated forms). Examples of derivatives include, but are not limited to, pegylated derivatives and fusion proteins, such as proteins formed by fusing IgG1 or IgG3 to the protein or active portion of the protein of interest. See, e.g., Penichet, M. L. and Morrison, S. L., J. Immunol. Methods 248:91-101 (2001).

Recombinant and mutated forms of G-CSF can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,810,643; 4,999,291; 5,528,823; and 5,580,755; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Recombinant and mutated forms of GM-CSF can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,485; 5,393,870; and 5,229,496; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In fact, recombinant forms of G-CSF and GM-CSF are currently sold in the United States for the treatment of symptoms associated with specific chemotherapies. A recombinant form of G-CSF known as filgrastim is sold in the United States under the trade name NEUPOGEN®. NEUPOGEN® is known to stimulate division and maturation of granulocytes, mostly neutrophils, in MDS patients and to enhance erythroid response in combination with EPO. Physicians' Desk Reference, 587-592 (56^(th) ed., 2002). A recombinant form of GM-CSF known as sargramostim is also sold in the United States under the trade name LEUKINE®. LEUKINE® is known to stimulate division and maturation of earlier myeloid and macrophage precursor cells and has been reported to increase granulocytes. Physicians' Desk Reference, 1755-1760 (56^(th) ed., 2002). A recombinant form of EPO known as epoetin alfa is sold in the United States under the trade name EPOGEN®. EPOGEN® is used to stimulate red cell production by stimulating division and maturation of committed red cell precursor cells. EPOGEN® has been reported to be effective in 20-26% of MDS patient when administered by itself and in as many as 48% of patients when combined with G-CSF or GM-CSF. Physicians' Desk Reference, 582-587 (56^(th) ed., 2002).

A growth-factor or cytokine such as G-CSF, GM-CSF and EPO can also be administered in the form of a vaccine. For example, vaccines that secrete, or cause the secretion of, cytokines such as G-CSF and GM-CSF can be used in the methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits of the invention. See, e.g., Emens, L. A., et al., Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther. 3(1):77-84 (2001).

Other compounds that can be administered or used in combination with an immunomodulatory compound of the invention include those disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/380,842, filed May 17, 2002, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/380,843, filed May 17, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

5.3. Methods of Treatment and Management

Methods of this invention encompass methods of preventing, treating and/or managing various types of MDS. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “preventing” includes but is not limited to, inhibition or the averting of symptoms associated with MDS. The symptoms associated with MDS include, but are not limited to, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, cytopenia, bicytopenia (two deficient cell lines), and pancytopenia (three deficient cell lines). As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “treating” refers to the administration of a composition after the onset of symptoms of MDS, whereas “preventing” refers to the administration prior to the onset of symptoms, particularly to patients at risk of MDS. As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “managing” encompasses preventing the recurrence of MDS in a patient who had suffered from MDS, lengthening the time a patient who had suffered from MDS remains in remission, and/or preventing the occurrence of MDS in patients at risk of suffering from MDS.

The invention encompasses methods of treating or preventing patients with primary and secondary MDS. It further encompasses methods treating patients who have been previously treated for MDS, as well as those who have not previously been treated for MDS. Because patients with MDS have heterogenous clinical manifestations and varying clinical outcomes, it has become apparent that staging the patients according to their prognosis and approaching therapy depending on the severity and stage is necessary. Indeed, the methods and compositions of this invention can be used in various stages of treatments for patients with one or more types of MDS including, but not limited to, refractory anemia (RA), RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), RA with excess blasts (RAEB), RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T), or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The invention also contemplates treating patients diagnosed using the IPSS for MDS discussed above. Greenberg et al., Blood 1997 (89):2079-88.

Methods encompassed by this invention comprise administering azacitidine and an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof to a patient (e.g., a human) suffering, or likely to suffer, from MDS. Specific patient populations include the elderly, i.e., ages 60 and above as well as those over 35 years of age. Patients with familial history of MDS or leukemia are also preferred candidates for preventive regimens.

In one embodiment of the invention, an immunomodulatory compound of the invention is administered orally and in a single or divided daily doses in an amount of from about 0.10 to about 150 mg/day. In a particular embodiment, 4-(amino)-2-(2,6-dioxo(3-piperidyl))-isoindoline-1,3-dione (pomalidomide) is administered in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10 mg per day, or alternatively every other day. 3-(4-Amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione (lenalidomide) can be preferably administered in an amount of from about 5 to 25 mg per day, or alternatively every other day.

In one embodiment of the invention, azacitidine is administered according to one of three alternative dosing schedules, administered in 28-day cycles:

-   -   1) AZA 5-2-2: azacitidine 75 mg/m²/day SC×5 days, followed by 2         days of no treatment, followed by azacitidine 75 mg/m²/day SC×2         days;     -   2) AZA 5-2-5: azacitidine 50 mg/m²/day SC×5 days, followed by 2         days of no treatment, followed by azacitidine 50 mg/m²/day SC×5         days; and     -   3) AZA 5: azacitidine 75 mg/m²/day SC×5 days.

After at least 2 cycles, azacitidine dose can be increased if the patient is not responding, defined as treatment failure or disease progression according to IWG 2000 criteria for MDS (≥50% increase in blasts, ≥50% decrease from maximum response levels in granulocytes or platelets, hemoglobin reduction ≥2 g/dL, or transfusion independence). Conversely, the dose can be decreased based on hematological recovery and adverse events.

5.3.1 Combination Therapy with Additional Active Agent

Particular methods of the invention comprise comprises administering 1) an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, 2) azacitidine and 3) an additional active agent or active ingredient. Examples of immunomodulatory compounds of the invention are disclosed herein (see, e.g., section 5.1); and examples of the additional active agents are also disclosed herein (see, e.g., section 5.2).

Administration of the immunomodulatory compounds, azacitidine and the additional active agents to a patient can occur simultaneously or sequentially by the same or different routes of administration. The suitability of a particular route of administration employed for a particular active agent will depend on the active agent itself (e.g., whether it can be administered orally without decomposing prior to entering the blood stream) and the disease being treated. A preferred route of administration for an immunomodulatory compound is oral. A preferred route of administration for azacitidine is subcutaneous, intravenous or oral. Preferred routes of administration for the additional active agents or ingredients of the invention are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. See, e.g., Physicians' Desk Reference.

In one embodiment, the additional active agent is administered intravenously or subcutaneously and once or twice daily in an amount of from about 1 to about 1000 mg, from about 5 to about 500 mg, from about 10 to about 350 mg, or from about 50 to about 200 mg. The specific amount of the additional active agent will depend on the specific agent used, the type of MDS being treated or managed, the severity and stage of MDS, and the amount(s) of immunomodulatory compounds of the invention and any optional additional active agents concurrently administered to the patient. In a particular embodiment, the additional active agent is gemtuzumab ozogamicin, etanercept, GM-CSF, G-CSF, EPO, transretinoic acid, dexamethasone, topotecan, pentoxifylline, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, IL2, IL8, IL18, Ara-C, vinorelbine, or a combination thereof. GM-CSF is administered in an amount of from about 60 to about 500 mcg/m² intravenously over 2 hours, or from about 5 to about 12 mcg/m²/day subcutaneously. G-CSF is administered subcutaneously in an amount of about 1 mcg/kg/day initially and can be adjusted depending on rise of total granulocyte counts. The maintenance dose is 300 (in smaller patients) or 480 mcg subcutaneously. EPO is administered subcutaneously in an amount of 10,000 Unit 3 times per week.

5.3.2 Use with Transplantation Therapy

In still another embodiment, this invention encompasses a method of treating, preventing and/or managing MDS, which comprises administering azacitidine and the immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, in conjunction with transplantation therapy. As discussed elsewhere herein, the treatment of MDS is based on the stages and mechanism of the disease. As inevitable leukemic transformation develops in certain stages of MDS, transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells, hematopoietic stem cell preparation or bone marrow may be necessary. The combined use of azacitidine, the immunomodulatory compound of the invention and transplantation therapy provides a unique and unexpected synergism. In particular, an immunomodulatory compound of the invention exhibits immunomodulatory activity that may provide additive or synergistic effects when given concurrently with transplantation therapy in patients with MDS. An immunomodulatory compound of the invention can work in combination with transplantation therapy reducing complications associated with the invasive procedure of transplantation and risk of related Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). This invention encompasses a method of treating, preventing and/or managing MDS which comprises administering to a patient (e.g., a human) azacitidine and an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, before, during, or after the transplantation of umbilical cord blood, placental blood, peripheral blood stem cell, hematopoietic stem cell preparation or bone marrow. Examples of stem cells suitable for use in the methods of the invention are disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/372,348, filed Apr. 12, 2002 by R. Hariri et al., the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

5.3.3 Cycling Therapy

In a preferred embodiments, the therapeutic agents of the invention are cyclically administered to a patient. Cycling therapy involves the administrations of the first agent and the second agent for periods of time, followed by rest for periods of time, and repeating the sequential administrations. Cycling therapy can reduce the development of resistance to the therapies, avoid or reduce the side effects of the therapies, and/or improves the efficacy of the treatment.

In a particular embodiment, one cycle can comprise the administration of a therapeutic agent for three (3) weeks followed by one (1) week of rest in a 28-days cycle. The number of cycles administered is from about 1 to about 12 cycles. 3-(4-Amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidin-2,6-dione (lenalidomide) is orally administered to patients with MDS in an amount of about 5-25 mg per day for 21 days followed by seven days rest on a 28 day cycle. In a particular embodiment, lenalidomide is orally administered to patients with MDS in an amount of about 10 mg per day for 21 days followed by seven days rest on a 28 day cycle.

In a particular embodiment, the patient also receive 5-azacytidine at a dose of about 25-75 mg/m²/d subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV) for days 1-7 followed by twenty-one days rest on a 28 day cycle. In another particular embodiment, patient receive 5-azacytidine at a dose of about 25-75 mg/m²/d subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV) for days 1-5 followed by twenty-three days rest on a 28 day cycle. In another particular embodiment, patient receive oral 5-azacytidine at a dose of about 120 mg/d for days 1-7 followed by twenty-one days rest on a 28 day cycle.

In one embodiment, up to 9 or more 28-day cycles are administered. Other methods for providing an effective amount of a cytidine analog are disclosed in, for example, “Colon-Targeted Oral Formulations of Cytidine Analogs”, U.S. Ser. No. 11/849,958, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

5.4. Pharmaceutical Compositions and Single Unit Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical compositions can be used in the preparation of individual, single unit dosage forms. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention comprise an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention can further comprise one or more excipients.

Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention can also comprise one or more additional active ingredients. Consequently, pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention comprise the active ingredients disclosed herein (e.g., an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, and an additional active ingredient). Examples of optional additional active ingredients are disclosed herein (see, e.g., section 5.2).

Single unit dosage forms of the invention are suitable for oral, mucosal (e.g., nasal, sublingual, vaginal, buccal, or rectal), or parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, bolus injection, intramuscular, or intraarterial), transdermal or transcutaneous administration to a patent. Examples of dosage forms include, but are not limited to: tablets; caplets; capsules, such as soft elastic gelatin capsules; cachets; troches; lozenges; dispersions; suppositories; powders; aerosols (e.g., nasal sprays or inhalers); gels; liquid dosage forms suitable for oral or mucosal administration to a patient, including suspensions (e.g., aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspensions, oil-in-water emulsions, or a water-in-oil liquid emulsions), solutions, and elixirs; liquid dosage forms suitable for parenteral administration to a patient; and sterile solids (e.g., crystalline or amorphous solids) that can be reconstituted to provide liquid dosage forms suitable for parenteral administration to a patient.

The composition, shape, and type of dosage forms of the invention will typically vary depending on their use. For example, a dosage form used in the acute treatment of a disease may contain larger amounts of one or more of the active ingredients it comprises than a dosage form used in the chronic treatment of the same disease. Similarly, a parenteral dosage form may contain smaller amounts of one or more of the active ingredients it comprises than an oral dosage form used to treat the same disease. These and other ways in which specific dosage forms encompassed by this invention will vary from one another will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18^(th) ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).

Typical pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprise one or more excipients. Suitable excipients are well known to those skilled in the art of pharmacy, and non-limiting examples of suitable excipients are provided herein. Whether a particular excipient is suitable for incorporation into a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form depends on a variety of factors well known in the art including, but not limited to, the way in which the dosage form will be administered to a patient. For example, oral dosage forms such as tablets may contain excipients not suited for use in parenteral dosage forms. The suitability of a particular excipient may also depend on the specific active ingredients in the dosage form. For example, the decomposition of some active ingredients may be accelerated by some excipients such as lactose, or when exposed to water. Active ingredients that comprise primary or secondary amines are particularly susceptible to such accelerated decomposition. Consequently, this invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that contain little, if any, lactose other mono- or di-saccharides. As used herein, the term “lactose-free” means that the amount of lactose present, if any, is insufficient to substantially increase the degradation rate of an active ingredient.

Lactose-free compositions of the invention can comprise excipients that are well known in the art and are listed, for example, in the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) 25-NF20 (2002). In general, lactose-free compositions comprise active ingredients, a binder/filler, and a lubricant in pharmaceutically compatible and pharmaceutically acceptable amounts. Preferred lactose-free dosage forms comprise active ingredients, microcrystalline cellulose, pre-gelatinized starch, and magnesium stearate.

This invention further encompasses anhydrous pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprising active ingredients, since water can facilitate the degradation of some compounds. For example, the addition of water (e.g., 5%) is widely accepted in the pharmaceutical arts as a means of simulating long-term storage in order to determine characteristics such as shelf-life or the stability of formulations over time. See, e.g., Jens T. Carstensen, Drug Stability: Principles & Practice, 2d. Ed., Marcel Dekker, NY, N.Y., 1995, pp. 379-80. In effect, water and heat accelerate the decomposition of some compounds. Thus, the effect of water on a formulation can be of great significance since moisture and/or humidity are commonly encountered during manufacture, handling, packaging, storage, shipment, and use of formulations.

Anhydrous pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention can be prepared using anhydrous or low moisture containing ingredients and low moisture or low humidity conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that comprise lactose and at least one active ingredient that comprises a primary or secondary amine are preferably anhydrous if substantial contact with moisture and/or humidity during manufacturing, packaging, and/or storage is expected.

An anhydrous pharmaceutical composition should be prepared and stored such that its anhydrous nature is maintained. Accordingly, anhydrous compositions are preferably packaged using materials known to prevent exposure to water such that they can be included in suitable formulary kits. Examples of suitable packaging include, but are not limited to, hermetically sealed foils, plastics, unit dose containers (e.g., vials), blister packs, and strip packs.

The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that comprise one or more compounds that reduce the rate by which an active ingredient will decompose. Such compounds, which are referred to herein as “stabilizers,” include, but are not limited to, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, pH buffers, or salt buffers.

Like the amounts and types of excipients, the amounts and specific types of active ingredients in a dosage form may differ depending on factors such as, but not limited to, the route by which it is to be administered to patients. However, typical dosage forms of the invention comprise an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof in an amount of from about 0.10 to about 150 mg. Typical dosage forms comprise an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof in an amount of about 0.1, 1, 2, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 50, 100, 150 or 200 mg. In a particular embodiment, a preferred dosage form comprises 4-(amino)-2-(2,6-dioxo(3-piperidyl))-isoindoline-1,3-dione (Actimid™) in an amount of about 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 or 50 mg. In a specific embodiment, a preferred dosage form comprises 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine 2,6-dione (Lenalidomide) in an amount of about 5, 10, 25 or 50 mg.

Pharmaceutical compositions may contain sufficient quantities of azacitidine to provide a daily dosage of about 10 to 150 mg/m² (based on patient body surface area) or about 0.1 to 4 mg/kg (based on patient body weight) as single or divided (2-3) daily doses. In one embodiment, dosage of azacitidine is provided via a seven day administration of 75 mg/m² subcutaneously, once every twenty-eight days, for as long as clinically necessary.

Typical dosage forms comprise the additional active ingredient in an amount of 1 to about 1000 mg, from about 5 to about 500 mg, from about 10 to about 350 mg, or from about 50 to about 200 mg. Of course, the specific amount of the additional active ingredient will depend on the specific agent used, the type of MDS being treated or managed, and the amount(s) of immunomodulatory compounds and azacitidine, and any optional additional active agents concurrently administered to the patient.

5.4.1 Oral Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention that are suitable for oral administration can be presented as discrete dosage forms, such as, but are not limited to, tablets (e.g., chewable tablets), caplets, capsules, and liquids (e.g., flavored syrups). Such dosage forms contain predetermined amounts of active ingredients, and may be prepared by methods of pharmacy well known to those skilled in the art. See generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18^(th) ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).

Typical oral dosage forms of the invention are prepared by combining the active ingredients in an intimate admixture with at least one excipient according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. Excipients can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. For example, excipients suitable for use in oral liquid or aerosol dosage forms include, but are not limited to, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, and coloring agents. Examples of excipients suitable for use in solid oral dosage forms (e.g., powders, tablets, capsules, and caplets) include, but are not limited to, starches, sugars, micro-crystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, and disintegrating agents.

Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms, in which case solid excipients are employed. If desired, tablets can be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques. Such dosage forms can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. In general, pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredients with liquid carriers, finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then shaping the product into the desired presentation if necessary.

For example, a tablet can be prepared by compression or molding. Compressed tablets can be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredients in a free-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with an excipient. Molded tablets can be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

Examples of excipients that can be used in oral dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, binders, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants. Binders suitable for use in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms include, but are not limited to, corn starch, potato starch, or other starches, gelatin, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, sodium alginate, alginic acid, other alginates, powdered tragacanth, guar gum, cellulose and its derivatives (e.g., ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, pre-gelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, (e.g., Nos. 2208, 2906, 2910), microcrystalline cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable forms of microcrystalline cellulose include, but are not limited to, the materials sold as AVICEL-PH-101, AVICEL-PH-103 AVICEL RC-581, AVICEL-PH-105 (available from FMC Corporation, American Viscose Division, Avicel Sales, Marcus Hook, Pa.), and mixtures thereof. An specific binder is a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose sold as AVICEL RC-581. Suitable anhydrous or low moisture excipients or additives include AVICEL-PH-103™ and Starch 1500 LM.

Examples of fillers suitable for use in the pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, talc, calcium carbonate (e.g., granules or powder), microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, dextrates, kaolin, mannitol, silicic acid, sorbitol, starch, pre-gelatinized starch, and mixtures thereof. The binder or filler in pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is typically present in from about 50 to about 99 weight percent of the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form.

Disintegrants are used in the compositions of the invention to provide tablets that disintegrate when exposed to an aqueous environment. Tablets that contain too much disintegrant may disintegrate in storage, while those that contain too little may not disintegrate at a desired rate or under the desired conditions. Thus, a sufficient amount of disintegrant that is neither too much nor too little to detrimentally alter the release of the active ingredients should be used to form solid oral dosage forms of the invention. The amount of disintegrant used varies based upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typical pharmaceutical compositions comprise from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of disintegrant, preferably from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of disintegrant.

Disintegrants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, agar-agar, alginic acid, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, polacrilin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, potato or tapioca starch, other starches, pre-gelatinized starch, other starches, clays, other algins, other celluloses, gums, and mixtures thereof.

Lubricants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, light mineral oil, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, other glycols, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil), zinc stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl laureate, agar, and mixtures thereof. Additional lubricants include, for example, a syloid silica gel (AEROSIL200, manufactured by W.R. Grace Co. of Baltimore, Md.), a coagulated aerosol of synthetic silica (marketed by Degussa Co. of Plano, Tex.), CAB-O-SIL (a pyrogenic silicon dioxide product sold by Cabot Co. of Boston, Mass.), and mixtures thereof. If used at all, lubricants are typically used in an amount of less than about 1 weight percent of the pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms into which they are incorporated.

A preferred solid oral dosage form of the invention comprises an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, anhydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, stearic acid, colloidal anhydrous silica, and gelatin.

5.4.2 Delayed Release Dosage Forms

Active ingredients of the invention can be administered by controlled release means or by delivery devices that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,008,719, 5,674,533, 5,059,595, 5,591,767, 5,120,548, 5,073,543, 5,639,476, 5,354,556, and 5,733,566, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such dosage forms can be used to provide slow or controlled-release of one or more active ingredients using, for example, hydropropylmethyl cellulose, other polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, osmotic systems, multilayer coatings, microparticles, liposomes, microspheres, or a combination thereof to provide the desired release profile in varying proportions. Suitable controlled-release formulations known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including those described herein, can be readily selected for use with the active ingredients of the invention. The invention thus encompasses single unit dosage forms suitable for oral administration such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gelcaps, and caplets that are adapted for controlled-release.

All controlled-release pharmaceutical products have a common goal of improving drug therapy over that achieved by their non-controlled counterparts. Ideally, the use of an optimally designed controlled-release preparation in medical treatment is characterized by a minimum of drug substance being employed to cure or control the condition in a minimum amount of time. Advantages of controlled-release formulations include extended activity of the drug, reduced dosage frequency, and increased patient compliance. In addition, controlled-release formulations can be used to affect the time of onset of action or other characteristics, such as blood levels of the drug, and can thus affect the occurrence of side (e.g., adverse) effects.

Most controlled-release formulations are designed to initially release an amount of drug (active ingredient) that promptly produces the desired therapeutic effect, and gradually and continually release of other amounts of drug to maintain this level of therapeutic or prophylactic effect over an extended period of time. In order to maintain this constant level of drug in the body, the drug must be released from the dosage form at a rate that will replace the amount of drug being metabolized and excreted from the body. Controlled-release of an active ingredient can be stimulated by various conditions including, but not limited to, pH, temperature, enzymes, water, or other physiological conditions or compounds.

5.4.3 Parenteral Dosage Forms

Parenteral dosage forms can be administered to patients by various routes including, but not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous (including bolus injection), intramuscular, and intraarterial. Because their administration typically bypasses patients' natural defenses against contaminants, parenteral dosage forms are preferably sterile or capable of being sterilized prior to administration to a patient. Examples of parenteral dosage forms include, but are not limited to, solutions ready for injection, dry products ready to be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for injection, suspensions ready for injection, and emulsions.

Suitable vehicles that can be used to provide parenteral dosage forms of the invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to: Water for Injection USP; aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles such as, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.

Compounds that increase the solubility of one or more of the active ingredients disclosed herein can also be incorporated into the parenteral dosage forms of the invention. For example, cyclodextrin and its derivatives can be used to increase the solubility of an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, and its derivatives. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,127, which is incorporated herein by reference.

5.4.4 Topical and Mucosal Dosage Forms

Topical and mucosal dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, sprays, aerosols, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, or other forms known to one of skill in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16^(th) and 18^(th) eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1980 & 1990); and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 4th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia (1985). Dosage forms suitable for treating mucosal tissues within the oral cavity can be formulated as mouthwashes or as oral gels.

Suitable excipients (e.g., carriers and diluents) and other materials that can be used to provide topical and mucosal dosage forms encompassed by this invention are well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts, and depend on the particular tissue to which a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form will be applied. With that fact in mind, typical excipients include, but are not limited to, water, acetone, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof to form solutions, emulsions or gels, which are non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable. Moisturizers or humectants can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms if desired. Examples of such additional ingredients are well known in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16^(th) and 18^(th) eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1980 & 1990).

The pH of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may also be adjusted to improve delivery of one or more active ingredients. Similarly, the polarity of a solvent carrier, its ionic strength, or tonicity can be adjusted to improve delivery. Compounds such as stearates can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms to advantageously alter the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity of one or more active ingredients so as to improve delivery. In this regard, stearates can serve as a lipid vehicle for the formulation, as an emulsifying agent or surfactant, and as a delivery-enhancing or penetration-enhancing agent. Different salts, hydrates or solvates of the active ingredients can be used to further adjust the properties of the resulting composition.

5.4.5 Kits

Typically, active ingredients of the invention are preferably not administered to a patient at the same time or by the same route of administration. This invention therefore encompasses kits which, when used by the medical practitioner, can simplify the administration of appropriate amounts of active ingredients to a patient.

A typical kit of the invention comprises a dosage form of an immunomodulatory compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, prodrug, or clathrate thereof. Kits encompassed by this invention can further comprise additional active ingredients such as G-CSF, GM-CSF, EPO, topotecan, pentoxifylline, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, IL2, IL8, IL18, Ara-C, vinorelbine, isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, or a pharmacologically active mutant or derivative thereof, or a combination thereof. Examples of the additional active ingredients include, but are not limited to, those disclosed herein (see, e.g., section 5.2).

Kits of the invention can further comprise devices that are used to administer the active ingredients. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, syringes, drip bags, patches, and inhalers.

Kits of the invention can further comprise cells or blood for transplantation as well as pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles that can be used to administer one or more active ingredients. For example, if an active ingredient is provided in a solid form that must be reconstituted for parenteral administration, the kit can comprise a sealed container of a suitable vehicle in which the active ingredient can be dissolved to form a particulate-free sterile solution that is suitable for parenteral administration. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles include, but are not limited to: Water for Injection USP; aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles such as, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.

6. EXAMPLES

The following studies are intended to further illustrate the invention without limiting its scope.

6.1. Clinical Studies in MDS Patients

Study 1

A Phase I trial was conducted in patients with MDS (IPSS score ≥1.5, or FAB or WHO classification with ≥5% myeloblasts). Patients were treated using below dosing schedules.

Dose Level Azacitidine Schedule Lenalidomide Schedule 1 75 mg/m² SC days 1-5 5 mg PO days 1-14 2 75 mg/m² SC days 1-5 5 mg PO days 1-21 3 75 mg/m² SC days 1-5 10 mg PO days 1-21  4 50 mg/m² SC days 1-5, 8-12 5 mg PO days 1-14 5 50 mg/m² SC days 1-5, 8-12 5 mg PO days 1-21 6 50 mg/m² SC days 1-5, 8-12 10 mg PO days 1-21 

Lenalidomide and Azacitidine were cyclically administered to patients with MDS. Cycling therapy involved the administration of the agents for a period of time, followed by rest for a period of time, and repeating this sequential administration. Cycles lasted 28 days, to a maximum of 7 cycles of therapy. The primary endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities of the combination. The secondary endpoint was response as defined by the Modified International Working Group (IWG). The combination of lenalidomide and Azacitidine was well-tolerated and the results showed efficacy in MDS patients.

Study 2

Patients receive treatment with lenalidomide at a oral dose of 5-25 mg daily on days 1 through 21, and Azacitidine at a dose of 25-75 mg/m²/d subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV) on days 1 through 7 in cycles of 28 days. Patients receive treatments until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The combination of lenalidomide and Azacitidine is well tolerated with encouraging clinical activity. The results of this study indicate that the combination of lenalidomide and Azacitidine provides a highly effective treatment for MDS. These agents may complement each other by targeting both the bone marrow microenvironment and hypomethylating action on the malignant clone.

Study 3

Patients receive continuous treatment with lenalidomide at a oral dose of 5-25 mg daily on days 1 through 21, and Azacitidine at a oral dose of 120 mg per day on days 1 through 7 in every 28 days cycle. Patients receive treatments until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The results indicate that the combination dosing regimen of lenalidomide and oral Azacitidine is active and well tolerated, with a manageable side effect profile. This therapy provides a highly effective treatment for MDS.

Embodiments of the invention described herein are only a sampling of the scope of the invention. The full scope of the invention is better understood with reference to the attached claims. 

1. A method of treating a myelodysplastic syndrome, which comprises administering to a patient having a myelodysplastic syndrome a therapeutically effective amount of 5-azacytidine, and a therapeutically effective amount of 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 2-37. (canceled) 